The City of Cupertino held its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Memorial Park, gathering veterans, first responders and community members to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The event featured speeches from community leaders and local veterans, along with musical performances by the Kennedy Middle School choir. The park was filled with American flags, creating a patriotic atmosphere as residents gathered to honor the sacrifices and service of those who served. Cupertino Mayor Liang Chao, one of the ceremony’s speakers, emphasizes the importance of remembrance and community service, recognizing the sacrifices and effort of veterans.
“Freedom is not free,” Chao said. “It takes a lot of sacrifice to protect our nation, and if our next generation does not grow up to believe in our nation, we don’t have a nation.”
The Cupertino Veterans Memorial ceremony was first held in memory of U.S. Navy SEALS who fought together: Matthew Axelson, a Cupertino native, and James Suh, and died in Afghanistan during Operation Red Wings in 2005. After a friend of Axelson asked the City Council to install a plaque in his honor, the idea grew into a memorial for all veterans, funded through a community-led effort. Among those honored was Marine Corps veteran Don Havens, who reflected on the personal meaning of Veterans Day and the impact his service had on his life.
“I think about all the experiences we had, the friends I had, all that comes on Veterans Day,” Havens said. “It certainly makes the veterans feel good, because you’re recognizing the contribution they made.”
Army veteran Robert Ostenberg shares a similar perspective on remembering those who served and learning from their experiences. He explains that Veterans Day is a reminder of the sacrifices made across generations.
“Whether you were drafted and didn’t have a choice or volunteered, it shows there are people willing to sacrifice to make this country safe,” Ostenberg said. “It’s so important to pay tribute to the veterans, because so many died in Vietnam or Afghanistan. There are still so many of us who remember, and we learn from them what to do and what not to do.”
Longtime Cupertino resident and Army veteran Dennis Whittaker, who served as a U.S. Army infantry lieutenant in Vietnam, helps annually organize the city’s Veterans Day event. He says the tradition began when Sandy James, the Cupertino mayor at the time, formed a committee after learning about Axelson’s death and how deeply the community was affected by the loss of a local service member. The project was completed in 2008, and Whittaker explains it holds personal significance for him as well.
“Veterans are very important to me because they got me home safe and sound from combat,” Whittaker said. “Freedom is not free. So many people take everything for granted, but everyone needs to take part in their community.”
